Dynamic Manta 2020 Converges on Sigonella

A crew member of the Italian Navy frigate ITS Carabiniere, flagship of Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2), prepares to fuel an NH90 helicopter during Exercise Dynamic Manta 2020. Dynamic Manta is an annual antisubmarine warfare exercise. (courtesy photo by NATO)

NATO

Dynamic Manta Converges on Sigonella

By Lt. Karl Schonberg, NAS Sigonella Public Affairs

Over the past two weeks you may have noticed an uptick in the number of NATO personnel around Sigonella, specifically on NAS I, around the flightline and dining in our “Ney” award winning Ristorante Bella Etna galley. Some of you may have even had to stand extra watch to check them on to base.

So what exactly is all this about? It is the large annual NATO anti-submarine exercise involving nine Allied nations.

NATO exercise Dynamic Manta (DYMA20) kicked off Monday, Feb. 24, near the coast of Sicily. Ships, submarines, aircraft and personnel converged in the Central Mediterranean Sea for advance antisubmarine warfare (ASW) and anti-surface warfare (ASuW) training.

Submarines from France, Greece, Italy and Turkey under NATO Submarine Command joined surface ships from Canada, France, Greece, Italy, Spain and Turkey. Some of these ships pulled into the NATO pier in Augusta bay, while others moored in the port of Catania.

Locally, you may have heard the buzz from commands closely involved in the exercise, such as our very own Commander, Task Force 67 and the forward deployed Maritime Reconnaissance Patrol Squadron, VP-4. These commands serve as our local experts when it comes to airborne antisubmarine warfare.

“As a member of a VP-4 flight crew, it was a unique experience being able to participate with our NATO allies to train toward real world scenarios,” said Naval Aircrewman (Operator) 2nd Class Douglas Harris. “We worked with a wide variety of multinational platforms in order to enhance our maritime performance capabilities.”

If you work at any of the commands near NAS II’s flight line, you may have witnessed a flurry of air operations. To support the simulated multi-threat environment, maritime patrol aircraft from Canada, Germany, France, Turkey and the United States and shore-based helicopters from Italy and United Kingdom are being utilized throughout the exercise.

All participants experience complex and challenging warfare training, to enhance interoperability and proficiency in antisubmarine and anti-surface warfare skill.

“Dynamic Manta provided an excellent opportunity to improve both our P-8 aircrew’s, but also the collective NATO team’s anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities by flexing NATO tactical ASW doctrine against some very challenging targets,” said Capt. William Pennington, commander Task Force (CTF) 67. “The exercise showcased the collaborative approach required for effective ASW operations, plus the strategic nature of NAS Sigonella, as maritime patrol aircraft from the US, France, Germany, Turkey, and Canada executed missions from here.”

Italy served as the host nation and provides operational and logistic support to the exercise. Such support expands well outside the gates of Sigonella, to include Catania harbor facilities, naval helicopter base in Catania, Naval Air Station Sigonella, logistics support including refueling operations, medical assistance and personnel accommodation from Augusta naval base.

“All participants were able to learn from each other during Dynamic Manta,” said Lt., Ryan Miller, a CTF-67 planner. “I worked with NATO’s maritime aircraft command which briefed and debriefed all the flights from Sigonella. I was thoroughly impressed with the support provided for all crews.”

Each surface ship had the opportunity to conduct a variety of submarine warfare operations while the submarines take turns hunting and being hunted, closely coordinating their efforts with the air and surface participants.

As we shift into the weekend, activity around Sigonella will wind down as the exercise wraps up, but whether it’s ensuring the security of our installation, standing an extra watch to enable deployed NATO troops, or providing command and control at CTF-67 just know that what you do matters. Our continued presence at the indispensable “Hub of the Med” ensures we will continue to play a vital role and aid in the success of exercises such as Dynamic Manta.